AUSTIN (January 24, 2013)-- Hundreds of teachers were at the Texas Capitol Thursday to urge lawmakers to roll back $5.4 billion in public education cuts imposed two years ago, but in another part of the building and around the same time, a coalition of foundations pushed for reforms that don’t involve spending more money.

Members of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association fanned out Thursday for a lobbying full-court press, meeting with state senators and representatives for their home districts.

Meanwhile, state Sen. Dan Patrick appeared at an event with a new group of civic leaders and foundations who argue that Texas needs sweeping reform, but not necessarily added spending for schools.

Patrick is a Houston Republican and chairs the Senate Committee on Public Education.